Herndon-Reston FISH

HRFISH Assistance programs helped over 3,360 people in all demographics but in predominately very low-income levels in Herndon and Reston, Virginia. HRFISH responded to financial assistance requests for rent, utilities, prescriptions, and other critical needs in order to stop destabilizing events and distributed over $467,000. To address community needs effectively, HRFISH accepts referrals from social workers in Fairfax County agencies, local schools, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations. In March 2022, as an existing safety net partner organization and having helped with a previous federal direct assistance program to aid residents in financial distress as a result of the COVID pandemic, HRFISH was asked to help distribute over $3 million in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). In June 2023, HRFISH received an additional $600,000 in ARPA funds for a follow-up program to ERA2 called ERA Bridge. During the 2022-23 fiscal year, HRFISH distributed over $950,000 of the ERA2 and ERA Bridge funds to help approximately 424 individuals.

The Bargain Loft thrift store, a program of HRFISH, provides affordable shopping to the local community. It collects and markets a wide variety of donated items in good condition. Gently used furniture, linens and household goods, women's clothing, and other high need items are sold. Store net profits help support emergency financial assistance programs for local residents in short-term crises.